Showing Love: Reusing Vintage Hardware

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Danica Sorber

They all say that the devil’s in the details, but for those brave enough to venture into the world of details, there will be due reward. Creativity is at the epicenter of any beautifully-decorated room. Not only are there a plethora of ways to use vintage hardware pieces for their intended purpose and draw more beauty into a room, but finding alternative uses could also enliven a space and give it a unique flair that won’t be found elsewhere.

Turn vintage hardware pieces into wall hangings for decoration. Sticking a random door hinge in the middle of a wall won’t exactly do the trick, but grouping a few different hardware pieces could give the desired effect. Get an old window pane and hang it with pieces of hardware creatively placed in opposing panes of the window. Take an assortment of locks and offset them with skeleton keys for an artistic arrangement of vintage hardware.

Think outside designed purpose to find creative ways of repurposing. Doorknobs can have a lot in common with many wall-mounted coat hangers. Take a salvaged piece of wood and stick old doorknobs to it, and voila! you have your own one-of-a-kind coat hanger for your entry way. Don’t let the original function of an item hang you up. It’s likely that thinking outside the box will result in a much more creative result. Seeing only a device for opening doors will cripple creative flow. Consider the shape, size, weight, texture, and unique qualities of an item. What makes it special? How can its best features be showcased?

Let creativity be your guide. When something brings back pleasant memories or fits well with a room motif, don’t let it get away! It’s not the same as playing in the world of made-to-order items. These aren’t going to be remade for people who sit on their hands and watch a good thing pass them by. Why not use a door-knocker as a drawer pull? How about turning some lock plates into a lamp shade? Find some doorknob plates and make them into a table top, or use them to cover a half-wall that used to have ugly, fake wood paneling on it.

Look for things that really shine for you and make them part of your home. A home can speak volumes about the one who owns it. Don’t let the conventional uses for old items keep you from seeing potential outside the box.